10 worst Seattle Seahawks draft picks of the Pete Carroll era
By Luke Allen
No. 2 - LJ Collier - Seahawks defensive lineman (2019)
A name synonymous with modern-day memes, jokes, and ineptitude, LJ Collier was an absolutely brutal selection for Pete Carroll and co. in 2019. Following one of the most frustrating and disheartening losses in recent memory as Seattle fell to Dallas in the wildcard round in 2018, the Seahawks understood they needed to bolster their defense, more specifically, the pass rush unit.
After trading Frank Clark to Kansas City, Seattle needed a defensive end.
In a stunning move in which I imagine Pete Carroll asking himself how he could top the Rashaad Penny selection from a year before, the Seahawks drafted a defensive end with a third-round grade with the 29th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. It felt like a sick joke when commissioner Roger Goodell announced the name 'LJ Collier' as the Seahawks' selection. It was yet another failed example of Pete Carroll zagging.
Collier, with the lowest of expectations, somehow ended up worse than anyone could've imagined. As is a common theme with Pete Carroll draft picks, Collier's career began with a rookie season marred by injuries. Collier finished his rookie season with only three tackles. In 2020, after Jadeveon Clowney left in free agency, Seattle desperately needed Collier to take a big leap. In week 3, Collier made the game-winning stop on Cam Newton at the goal line as time expired. That was the extent of his career highlights in Seattle.
Collier was ineffective in 2021 and 2022, as he was either injured or blocked out of the play by any and all offensive linemen in the league. Seattle declined his fifth-year option as the defense only got worse after using a first-round pick on Collier. Collier ended his 4-year tenure with Seattle after only mustering 40 tackles and 3 sacks in that time.
Who did they miss?
Six picks after Seattle drafted Collier, the San Francisco 49ers selected Deebo Samuel. Shortly after that, the Green Bay Packers selected Pro Bowl offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins. If Seattle insisted on a defensive end, All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby was also still available.